A health advocacy group aims to spread awareness about Dementia through food and presentations.
The Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia is hosting their Alzheimer’s breakfast in Bridgewater to help spread the importance of community-wide Alzheimer’s awareness.
The breakfast’s theme is Dementia: We can Help, and will see medical professionals and care workers talk about the importance of understanding the disease and the resources available to those dealing with it.
Linda Bird, director of programs and services for ASNS, said many don’t know the difference between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.
“A survey from Alzheimer’s Canada last year showed that people might be able to mention memory loss, but they don’t know the other symptoms of Dementia,” she said.
“So they might not be aware when somebody in their family, or a friend, is experiencing the early symptoms of the disease.”
Currently, Nova Scotia has over 17,000 residents living with Dementia.
But due to a stigma around the disease, Bird said many live in fear of receiving a Dementia diagnosis, and often suffer in silence.
“That’s contradictory of what they should be doing,” she said.
“They need to get help, need to be aware and need to let their friends and family know. Often we think of Dementia as the end of things, but the disease takes anywhere between 8-10 years, so there is lots of good living left.”
Bird hopes this informative breakfast will help break down that stigma and educate others on how to support those dealing with the disease.
The breakfast will be held on Friday, Jan. 24 at the Best Western Plus Bridgewater Hotel and Convention Centre, and will feature presentations by:
- Maggie Lovett MD (Geriatric Medicine Fellow)
- Jan Boran, Western Zone Continuing Care Manager
- Janet Cochran, Team Lead with the South Shore Seniors’ Community Health Team
- Tamara Ballard, Teepa Snow certified trainer, coach & consultant
Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Alzheimer’s Society website, calling the society at 1-800-611-6345 or by picking up and filling out a registration form.